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Joanne Valvano, PT, PhD

Assistant Professor

Office:
University of Colorado Denver
Physical Therapy Program - C244
Education Building 2 South
13121 E. 17th Avenue
Room 3133
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone:
303-724-1906
Email:
joanne.valvano@ucdenver.edu

Professional Credentials, Licensure, and Certification(s)

  • Physical Therapy Licensure: Colorado # 6591

Institution & Location Degree Yr. Conferred Field of Study

  • Temple University , Philadelphia , PA. BS 1968-1972,: Physical Therapy
  • Boston University , Boston , MA , MS: 1975-1976 Physical Therapy
  • Penn State , University Park , PA PhD 1990-1995:: Exercise Science

Offices, Membership in Professional Organizations, Advisory Councils, Boards, etc.

  • Editorial Board: Pediatric Physical Therapy.  1988-1999.
  • Member, Research Committee of the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association. 1995-2000. Small Grants Chair, 1998 – 2000.
  • Member, Practice Committee, Section on Pediatrics, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 1997-2001; 2003-2004. Member, Research Committee, Section on Pediatrics,  2001 to current.
  • Member, Membership Committee, North American Society for the Study of Sport and Physical Activity. 1999-2001
  • Member-at large, Neurological Compendium Project of the Section on Neurology (APTA), 8/2000-1/2001.
  • Member, Section on Pediatrics (APTA) Committee to develop a clinical pathway for intervention with spastic diplegia, 8/2002 – 12/2004
  • Member, Section on Pediatrics Task Force for promotion of physical fitness in children with cerebral palsy, 2004-2006.

Major Research and Professional Interests

  • Motor learning by children with neurological disorders; Pediatric physical therapy

Clinical Practice

  • Pediatric Physical Therapy (currently, clinical work limited to clinical research)

Teaching Responsibilities

  • Motor Control and Motor Learning

Service Activities

  • Manuscript Review Panel: Pediatric Physical Therapy. 1/2000-present; Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 6/2008 to present; Physical Therapy, 6/2008-present, Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 8/2008 to present.
  • Abstract and Grant Reviewer, Research Committee, Section on Pediatrics (APTA)  2001-current (Co-Chair for abstract review, 2007, 2008)

Research Grants

  • Measurement of voluntary motor control in the child with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Funded by the Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Denver, Denver, $30,000. 5/2007-5/2009
  • Practice of a bimanual motor task by children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and children with typical development.  Funded by Mary Switzer Research Fellowship award  (NIDRR). Roles: Principle Investigator. $45,000. 9/2003-9/2005.
  • Effects of verbal and physical guidance on the learning of a novel gross motor skill by children with spastic cerebral palsy. Submitted and funded by Research Foundation of the United Cerebral Palsy Association.  Roles: Co-PI and project manager. PI: Heriza, C B. $50,000. 7/2000-1/2002.

Selected Publications

Valvano J & Rapport  MJ. Activity-focused interventions for infants and young children with neurological  conditions.  Infants and Young Children, 2006:19 (4), 292-307

O’Neil  ME, Fragala-Pinkham  MA, Westcott  SL, Martin  K, Chiarello LA, Valvano, J  & Unanue RR. Physical therapy clinical management recommendations for children with cerebral palsy- Spastic diplegia: Achieving functional mobility outcomes. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2006;17 (1), 49-69.

Valvano J.  A model for activity-focused interventions for children with neurological conditions. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. 2004: 79-108

Thorpe DE & Valvano J. The effects of knowledge of results and cognitive strategies on motor skill learning by children with cerebral palsy.  Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2003:14, 2-15. 6.

Valvano J & Newell KM.  Isometric grip force production in children with spastic cerebral palsy.  Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 1998: 40, 464-473.

Newell, KM & Valvano J. Therapeutic intervention as a constraint on the relearning of motor skills.  Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 1998; 5, 51-57.

Book Chapters

Linscheid TF, & Valvano J.  Neurodevelopmental treatment and behavioral methodology.  In Mulick, J A & Antonick, R F , Eds,  Issues in therapeutic interventions: Transition in mental retardation. 1987; Vol. 2, pp. 189-210.

Valvano  J.  Neuromotor Systems: Intervention Strategies.  In S. Effgen  (Ed.) Meeting the physical therapy needs of children . 2004; pp. 245-282  FA Davis: Philadelphia. (2nd edition in preparation)